A S-400 air defense system on display at the Oboronexpo-2014 arms exhibition

ZHUKOVSKY, August 15. /ITAR-TASS/. "Russia's latest air defense system - "S-400" has been issued a license for exports; talks are underway on its exports abroad", Deputy director general of the “Almaz-Antei”concern said Friday .

"It's export passport has already been received. At present, we are conducting talks on the exports of the defense complex abroad. We have already made considerable progress," the executive, Vyacheslav Dzirkaln, said at "Rosoboronexport" show in Zhukovsky (Moscow region).

He said the unquestionable priority was still given to the S-400 deliveries within the state defense order. “The S-400 system, including medium-range ait defense systems, is delivered to the troops on a large scale. I’d like to emphasise that we fulfil our obligations before foreign customers and sign new contracts with reasonable deadlines and with regard for our possibilities,” Dzirkaln said.

According to him, it would be incorrect to say that the S-400 system would be spread around the world only owing to its combat capability. “The S-400 system is new, very effective and costly. Only counties with developed economies and good financial means can afford such systems,” he said.

However, he said, the contracts on the S-400 supply will replace the S-300 export contracts. “We are currently engaged in marketing of the S-400 air defense missile system. Yes, the S-300 system is efficient, but if we have developed new systems why not offer them to our customers and potential partners,” the Almaz-Antey deputy head said.

“We should help our friends and allies ensure their defense capability. We will set more serious tasks for our enterprises in order to fulfil the future export obligations to the partners, including deliveries abroad,” he said.

The S-400 Triumph long-and medium-range system is capable of guiding up to 72 missiles and engaging up to 36 targets simultaneously within the range of 400 kilometres.

Russian air defense systems manufacturer Almaz-Antei is in talks over setting up service centers in Algeria, Vietnam, India and China, a company official said at the Oboronexpo 2014 arms exhibition on Friday.

"Service centers are an important guideline on which we're actively working; we offer our partners to set up such centers," deputy head of the Almaz-Antei concern Vyacheslav Dzirkaln said.

"It is a very effective method for operating equipment, allowing for quick decisions on modernization and repairs of air defense systems without moving them from country to country," he added.